# CVE-2026-50687: Microsoft Windows Kernel use after free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-50687-microsoft-windows-kernel-use-after-free-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-14. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-50687 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Kernel, the core component of the Microsoft Windows operating system. This flaw allows a user who already has basic access to a computer to gain full administrative control over the system. If exploited, an attacker could bypass security restrictions to access sensitive data, install malicious software, or disrupt business operations.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows 11](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-50687 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-50687 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-50687?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 11 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875; Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.33158.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-50687?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-50687 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-50687?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 11 or Microsoft Windows Server 2025 at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

This vulnerability is classified as a Use-After-Free (CWE-416) within the Windows Kernel. An attacker with local access and low-level privileges can exploit this flaw by triggering a condition where the kernel continues to use a memory pointer after it has been freed. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute code in kernel mode, leading to a full privilege escalation and a scope break (S:C). The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 to 10.0.26200.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 to 10.0.28000.2269
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.33158

## Timeline

- 2026-07-14: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50687](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50687)

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